Crossword Genius

Disciple with a stone set inside pillar (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

apostle

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'disciple' is the definition.
(the apostles were disciples of Jesus)

'a stone set inside pillar' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'a' is present in the answer.
'stone' could be 'st' (abbreviation) and 'st' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'pole' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'with' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for apostle that I've seen before include "Holy person" , "Missionary or evangelist" , "who can handle a spoon?" , "Advocate" , "[JAMES] , for one?" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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